With The One World Exhibition Zadar has Become the Centre of Art

Representative works are to be exhibited from the collection of the National Museum of Modern Art signed by the greats of Croatian art. It is an immense pleasure to walk through this exhibition and observe the works created by, among others, Vlaho Bukovac, Jagoda Buić, Boris Demur, Edo Murtić, Đuro Seder, Ivan Kožarić, Dušan Džamonja, Ivan Meštrović, Frano Kršinić, Dalibor Martinis, and Sanja Iveković. 

During its two-year stay in Zadar, the exhibition conception will partially change, and the first one entitled One World was created by the National Museum of Modern Art director Branko Franceschi, as a project that could set new benchmarks in domestic museum practice.

- Connecting the past and the present, Zadar and Zagreb, the National Museum in Zadar with the National Museum of Modern Art is somewhere within the idea of One World as the exhibition itself is called. We have taken that title from the painting of Željko Kipke that is in the setup. Our wish is, and which has been actually made possible by this unique project of the Proveditor’s Palace, to present our collection in another manner. The collections are usually presented in chronological order, but I am grateful to this building and the architects who designed its interior in this way, which inspired us to go one step further by setting up the exhibition thematically. Each exhibition gallery presents 180 years of fine arts according to themes and motives that are known and close to you, Franceschi explained.

The opening of this exhibition is in every way the greatest cultural event in Zadar, but also one of the greatest cultural events in Croatia, considers Dina Bušić, Head of the Administration Department for Culture and Sport of the City of Zadar.

- The fact is that, for the first time, we are moving the national treasure from Zagreb to a coastal city. I am, first of all, as a citizen of this city, and only then as the head for culture, happy that our citizens, our young people, children, students have the opportunity to walk from the waterfront, come to the Proveditor’s Palace and simply participate in the entire program that offers the opportunity to see capital works of Croatian modernity of art, stand in front of Gundulić's dream for hours if they wish, and in their own city, said Bušić, the city head for culture.

Nina Koržinek Obuljen, Minister of Culture and Media, was present at the opening of the exhibition, and she was also present at the opening of the Proveditor’s Palace in April, and was thus delighted by the fact that this space was hosting such a large collection.

- This is, by all accounts, a historic event for the Croatian museum profession, but I would also say for culture as a whole. This is the first time that a collection of the National Museum has been transferred to another institution in such a complete way. We have taken advantage of the unfortunate circumstance of the earthquake, and instead of having the works of art being deposited and stored until restoration, they will be exhibited in this space which is spectacular. The architects have received all the key Croatian architectural awards and I believe that there could not have been a better way of giving wings to this space and make it come to life not only as a Zadar center but, by all accounts, as a Croatian and European cultural center. We are used to having the exhibitions change quickly, and that the permanent setups have been fixed for a very long time. For some time, this will be a space that will allow the people of Zadar and their guests, as well as those who will come from other parts of Croatia, to see these works of art, which were normally exhibited sporadically as part of some individual exhibitions but were never shown as a collection and as a whole outside Zagreb, the minister told us.

Undoubtedly, this exhibition is a big plus for the cultural and artistic offer of the city of Zadar, especially since the exhibition is staying here for two years. 

- I hope that the One World exhibition, along with the accompanying programs, will provide inspiration for creative action and work. It is a key pledge for the future and the creation of new original and irreplaceable works of art. A lot of effort, work and preparation have been invested for the exhibition of the National Museum of Modern Art collection of art masterpieces to be presented here in Zadar in the right way. Therefore, allow me to thank all of you who have jointly participated in this project. All the more so for the fundamental idea of the One World exhibition is the concept of unity, the mayor of Zadar, Branko Dukić, stated.

Consequently, there is enough time to see all the exhibition halls with beautiful works that we warmly recommend to our fellow citizens, but also to all our guests, making this is a truly unique opportunity that should not be missed.